IMA, an Italian company and one of the world leaders in the design and manufacture of automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceutical products, has introduced the Giant1, the world's widest range of machines for blister packaging (from 100 blisters per minute to extremely high speed - up to 1,300 blisters per minute), with or without integrated cartoners.

It is designed for both pharmaceutical companies and contract packers, the machine can be considered a perfect alternative for just-in-time production of small and medium batches (up to 350 blisters and 175 cartons per minute). The machine concept has been based on the IMA 30-year philosophy of flexibility in operation and changeover combined with easy cleaning and less material/product waste.

Established in 1961, IMA closed the year 2005 with consolidated revenues rising to Euro 398.8 million (Euro 372 million in 2004) and a gross operating profit rising to Euro 49.2 million (Euro 47.6 million in 2004). Exports accounted for 90.3 per cent. The IMA Group has more than 2,700 employees, about 1,100 of whom overseas, and can count on 15 production plants in Italy, Germany, the UK, Spain, the US, India and China. IMA has an extensive sales network comprising nine branches which provide sales and service in France, the UK, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, the US, China and Thailand, representative offices in Central and East European countries and over 50 agencies covering a total of more than 70 countries.

In 2005 IMA concluded a JV agreement with the Telstar Group (Spain) in the field of freeze-drying machinery for the pharmaceutical industry. In March 2006, IMA acquired the entire share capital of VIMA Impianti Srl., an Italian company that manufactures machines for dosing pharmaceutical products.